Associations between Omega-3 Index, Dopaminergic Genetic Variants and Aggressive and Metacognitive Traits: A Study in Adult Male Prisoners

Abstract

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) are critical for cell membrane structure and function. Human beings have a limited ability to synthesise docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the main n-3 LCPUFA required for neurological development. Inadequate levels of n-3 LCPUFA can affect the dopaminergic system in the brain and, when combined with genetic and other factors, increase the risk of developing aggression, inattention and impulse-control disorders. In this study, male prisoners were administered questionnaires assessing aggressive behaviour and executive functions. Participants also produced blood sampling for the measurement of the Omega-3 Index and the genotyping of dopaminergic genetic variants. Significant associations were found between functional genetic polymorphism in DBH rs1611115 and verbal aggression and between DRD2 rs4274224 and executive functions. However, the Omega-3 Index was not significantly associated with the tested dopaminergic polymorphisms. Although previous interactions between specific genotypes and n-3 LCPUFA were previously reported, they remain limited and poorly understood. We did not find any association between n-3 LCPUFA and dopaminergic polymorphisms in adult male prisoners; however, we confirmed the importance of genetic predisposition for dopaminergic genes (DBH and DRD2) in aggressive behaviour, memory dysfunction and attention-deficit disorder.

Attention-deficit/hyperactive disorder updates

“…There are some evidence from human beings that relate DRD2 polymorphisms and ADHD ( Supplementary Table 1 ). DRD2 genetic predisposition is associated with aggressive behavior, memory dysfunction, and ADHD ( Fernandez et al, 2022 ). DRD2 Taq1A (rs1800497) ( Neville et al, 2004 ; Pan et al, 2015 ) has been reported to relate to DRD2 expression levels ( Laakso et al, 2005 ).…”

“…Moreover, paternal over-transmission for rs2519152 and a strong correlation between rs1611115, rs1108580, and rs2519152 and DBH enzyme activity have been identified ( Bhaduri et al, 2010 ). The DBH rs1611115 is related to verbal aggression while DRD2 rs4274224 is associated with executive functions in ADHD among adult prisoners ( Fernandez et al, 2022 ). Nevertheless, rs1611115 and rs1108580 had no significant association with childhood ADHD according to the recent meta-analysis ( Gizer et al, 2009 ).…”

Theorizing the Role of Dopaminergic Polymorphic Risk Alleles with Intermittent Explosive Disorder (IED), Violent/Aggressive Behavior and Addiction: Justification of Genetic Addiction Risk Severity (GARS) Testing

“…Violence and aggression pose a major clinical challenge to mental health care providers and represent a significant public health concern [2]. It is well-known that the aggression phenotype may represent an array of polymorphic genetic antecedents, differential neuroanatomy, altered regional volumes, and aberrant interregional connectivity [3]. Understanding the neurogenetics and neurobiology of the brain reward circuitry (i.e., serotonergic, cannabinoidergic, opioidergic, GABAergic, glutaminergic, and dopaminergic, etc.)…”